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weather in San Francisco in August

Any tips on what types of clothing is needed in San Francisco in mid August. We will be going out to Alcatraz late afternoon one day the rest of the time walking around the city. Is rain likely that time of year? Cool in the eveings? Thanks.

I would bring a pair or two of shorts just in case the weather turns warm, but generally long pants are better. I don't know if your itinerary includes leaving SF, but this is the land of microclimates. Just over the bay and a few miles inland and the weather can be very hot.

After 40-plus years in the SF Bay area, I can say that there is a norm, but it's becoming less "normal" year after year.

"Normally", mid August would still be part of our unique San Francisco summer weather pattern, i.e., the foggy season. It goes like this: fog in the morning, clearing with sun and breeze in the afternoon, wind gets stronger and the fog comes back in at about the evening rush hour. Now mind you, this is the city proper I am talking about. In Mill Valley, San Mateo or Berkeley (all less than 20 miles away) they generally have sun and heat all day during the summer months.

The intense heat of the Central and San Joaquin Valleys during the summer "calls" the fog onto the coastal areas. This pattern persists until it is replaced with our Indian Summer weather in September, where it stays warm and dry until the first big rain of the autumn.

For practical considerations, I always recommend bringing a jacket roomy enough to layer a sweater underneath. Chinos are a good pants choice. You could bring shorts, but our little heat waves have a 3-day limit - there is no chance that you would be wearing shorts for a week in summer in San Francisco. Alcatraz is always, always breezy and cool - it's out on the bay after all!

I myself adore the fog and its special season here. It's cleansing, mysterious and the embodiment of Nature with a mind of its own.

riverhawkfan, It's true that that neither Will Rogers nor Mark Twain said "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." But if you fail to heed the advice in this thread, YOU will be the one to say it when you get home!.

dovima's explanation is a good one. I'd just add that some days in August, the fog doesn't ever burn off at all. I would even dare to say that you won't need shorts at all, unless you plan to visit sites outside the city where there will be "normal" summer weather.

Even if there happens to be one of our 3 day heatwaves, it will rarely get above the low 80s. This entire year, I can remember two days where it was hot hot - high 80s with no breeze - Mother's Day and a couple of days a few weeks ago. That's four days total out of 6 months. If we're lucky, we'll get a total of one week's worth of heatwave weather in the next 6 months. It's great when it happens, but it rarely happens. Stick with jeans and t-shirts. Maybe bring a pair of flip flops if it really gets hot.

One pair of Capri's and T's, in adition to your long pants, long sleeve shirts, and lightweight jacket or hoodled sweatshirt should do you fine. FYI, I'm 15 miles inland (San Jose/ Los Gatos area, and I'm in short sleeves and Capri's. Here in the inland bay are, our high temp today of 78F is cooler than the usual 80's and low 90's of July.